COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County 911 Board hope to meet with the county Board of Commissioners during their work session next Tuesday to address the ongoing problem of dispatcher shortages and issues involving salaries.
The 911 Board held a special meeting Wednesday at the request of local police and fire chiefs.
With Central Dispatch facing the possibility of being down to six dispatchers with the departure of a Supervisor, the Branch County Board of Commissioners approved a request to bring back a retired dispatcher on a temporary basis during their regular meeting Tuesday.
Denny Braucker was hired as a temporary employee for no more than 160 calendar days at a rate of $22.53 per hour with no benefits.
Commissioner Terri Norris said the 911 department was desperate for the help.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman said during Tuesday’s meeting that 911 hopes to bring on three new employees in the coming weeks who will have go through training.
That would bring the number of dispatchers up to nine which will still leave Branch County 911 two dispatchers short of being considered fully staffed.
